Mile Higher Ed Podcast
Mile Higher Ed Podcast
Podcast Description
Higher education today faces challenges. We are reckoning with a legacy of discrimination and exclusion, moving through a global health pandemic, adapting to technological advancements in teaching and learning, and grappling with questions about the cost and even the value, of a college degree. Here at the Higher Education Department in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver, our faculty, students, and alumni are working to address these challenges head on.
In Mile Higher Ed, we will shine the spotlight on the work DU higher ed faculty and alumni are doing to advance higher education. We will bring you the latest stories from our department--from compelling research findings to innovative practices to leadership in the field. Whether you are a DU higher ed alum or prospective student, or a higher ed researcher or practitioner, we invite you to learn from our community as we work to make higher education more effective and equitable.
Mile Higher Ed is a production of the Higher Education Department at the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver.
Follow MCE on Instagram: @morgridgeatdu
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores critical themes in higher education, including equity and access, faculty development, student experiences, and innovative practices. Specific episodes cover topics such as the value of inclusive environments in academia, the path to success for Latina students, and the role of open educational resources in promoting equity. Additional discussions happen around critical race theory in civic engagement, indigenous-centered educational practices, and challenges faced by transfer students.

Higher education today faces challenges. We are reckoning with a legacy of discrimination and exclusion, moving through a global health pandemic, adapting to technological advancements in teaching and learning, and grappling with questions about the cost and even the value, of a college degree. Here at the Higher Education Department in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver, our faculty, students, and alumni are working to address these challenges head on.
In Mile Higher Ed, we will shine the spotlight on the work DU higher ed faculty and alumni are doing to advance higher education. We will bring you the latest stories from our department–from compelling research findings to innovative practices to leadership in the field. Whether you are a DU higher ed alum or prospective student, or a higher ed researcher or practitioner, we invite you to learn from our community as we work to make higher education more effective and equitable.
Mile Higher Ed is a production of the Higher Education Department at the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver.
Follow MCE on Instagram: @morgridgeatdu
While Sarah and Caitlyn work on Season 3 of the podcast, we are revisiting this season 1 episode where we talked to Dr. Laura Sponsler, Clinical Associate Professor of Higher Education and now Director of Faculty Development for the Office of Faculty Affairs. We talked about Teaching & Professional Faculty, also called Non-Tenure-Track Faculty, based on an article Dr. Sponsler had recently published.
About our guest:
Dr. Laura Sponsler is a Clinical Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University of Denver, as well as the Director of Faculty Development for the Office of Faculty Affairs. Her work broadly examines the democratic purposes of higher education, in particular how institutions provide space for voice, participation, and inclusive practices, and how these ideals are institutionalized. Dr. Sponsler’s research agenda focuses on the following areas: civic engagement; inclusive teaching, learning, and assessment; organizational change, organizational learning, and faculty development; and the experiences of non-tenure track faculty and their participation in higher education.
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Thanks for listening to this episode of Mile Higher Ed. Mile Higher Ed is produced within the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver by Dr. Sarah Hurtado and Caitlyn Potter Glaser. Our theme music is “Summer” by Liborio Conti.
Are you interested in a master’s or doctoral degree in higher education? You could start as early as January 2026. Ready to start the conversation? Use this link to request information. Ready to apply? Complete the admissions application here.
Follow our podcast on Instagram at milehigheredpodcast. Follow Morgridge College of Education at MorgridgeatDU.
Keep up the good work everyone. See you next time!

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